gislature in passing the Provincial University Act of
1853, clearly proposed and avowed a threefold object. First, the
creation of a University for examining candidates, and conferring
degrees in the Faculties of Arts, Law, and Medicine. Secondly, the
establishment of an elevated curriculum of University education,
conformable to that of the London University in England. Thirdly,
the association with the Provincial University of the several
colleges already established, and which might be established, in
Upper Canada, with the Provincial University, the same as various
colleges of different denominations in Great Britain and Ireland
are affiliated to the London University--placed as they are upon
equal footing in regard to and aid from the state, and on equal
footing in regard to the composition of the Senate, and the
appointment of examiners.

In the promotion of these objects the Conference and members of the
Wesleyan Methodist Church cordially concurred; and at the first
meeting after the passing of the University Act, the Senatorial
Board of Victoria College adopted the programme of collegiate
studies established by the Senate of the London University, and
referred to in the Canadian Statute. But it soon appeared that the
Senate of the Toronto University, instead of giving effect to the
liberal intentions of the Legislature, determined to identify the
University with one college, in contradistinction and to the
exclusion of all others, to establish a monopoly of senatorial
power and public revenue for one college alone; so much so, that a
majority of the legal quorum of the Senate now consists of the
professors of one college, one of whom is invariably one of the two
examiners of their own students, candidates for degrees, honors,
and scholarships. The curriculum of the University studies, instead
of being elevated and conformed to that of the London University,
has been revised and changed three times since 1853, and reduced by
options and otherwise below what it was formerly, and below what it
is in the British Universities, and below what it is in the best
colleges in the United States. The effect of this narrow and
anti-liberal course is, to build up one College at the expense of
all others, and to reduce the standard of a University degree